Rome today....

"everyday noises, mopeds darting away at green lights, road sweepers in action, and restaurants smelling of spring lamb and meatballs, ribbon pasta and fried dishes, spaghetti with tomato and basil sauce with a mountain o Parmesan cheese....the Rome of today, with a few too many fast food restaurants and large suburban stores, is living on interest from its past, cultivating its own philosophy of life.....a city of fiery moods and strong tones, of unique color and magic light."

Definitely need this to start off the day!  There will be miles of walking.

at Piazza Navona (see below), flanked by cafes, contains three Baroque fountains, inclding the colossal Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, one of Bernini's finest works.

in front of the Pantheon....one of the cardinal buildings of late Roman architecture.  Completed in AD 125, it shows how the form of the Greek temple was elaborated upon to create a masterpiece of perfect proportions.

The oculus, a hole at the top of the dome provides the only light.

Yummy gelato!

Trivoli Foutain ...although I made it through the hordes of people to the water, I didn't have a coin to toss in :(  Nicola Salvis theatrical design for Rome's largest and most famous fountain was completed in 1762.  The central figures are Neptune, flanked by two Tritons, one trying to master an unruly seahorse, the other leading a quieter beast.  These are intended to symbolize the two contrasting moods of the sea...supposedly named after a young girl, Trivia, said to have first shown the spring (14 miles) from the city,  to thirsty Roman soldiers.

The Spanish steps....Piazza di Spagna where you wil find the Spanish Steps, etc.) is crowded all day and (in summer) most of the night. ..built in the 17th century to house the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. 

The steps were built in the 1720s to link the square with the French church of Trinita dei Monti above.  

I don't know what this is, but I don't like it all!

I should have taken notes of exactly what I was taking pictures of!....oh well, I will have to return some day so that I can properly label my photos...